Incidence and causes of prolonged mechanical ventilation in children with Down syndrome undergoing cardiac surgery.

Introduction: Trisomy 21 is the most common syndrome in children with a 30-50% association with congenital heart disease (CHD). Cardiac surgeries are required in the majority of Down syndrome (DS) with CHD cases. Because of the distinctive abnormalities in their respiratory system, children with DS may require longer positive pressure ventilation after cardiac surgery.

Can acute-phase response biomarkers differentiate infection from inflammation postpediatric cardiac surgery?

Background: Infection is a common serious complication postpediatric cardiac surgery. Diagnosis of infection after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is difficult in the presence of surgical stress, hemodynamic instability, and inflammatory reaction.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigate the value of available inflammatory biomarkers and its validity to differentiate infection from inflammation postpediatric cardiac surgery and to find the trend and the change in the level of these biomarkers shortly after cardiac surgery.

Predictors of cardio pulmonary resuscitation outcome in postoperative cardiac children.

Background: Outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in children with congenital heart disease have improved and many children have survived after an in-hospital cardiac arrest.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to determine predictors of poor outcome after CPR in critical children undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review and data analysis of all CPR records and charts of all postoperative cardiac children who had a cardiac arrest and required resuscitation from 2011 until 2015.

Late-presenting complete heart block after pediatric cardiac surgery.

Late presenting complete heart block after pediatric cardiac surgery is a rare complication and its management is well defined once the initial diagnosis in made timely and appropriately. In this report we described a child who underwent atrioventricular septal defect repair with a normal sinus rhythm during the postoperative period, as well as during the first 2 years of follow up. She subsequently developed complete heart block with bradycardia that required insertion of a pacemaker.